PITTSBURGH — It was one of those nights where everything clicked in the Pirates’ lineup; where hitters rack up extra base hits, get on base, drive in runs…and it all looks so easy.
Garrett Jones, Pedro Alvarez and Ryan Doumit had one of those nights Friday, combining to drive in seven runs in an 8-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
Jones went 2-for-4 with two doubles and 3 RBIs, anchoring a batting order that hit a combined 4-for-6 with runners in scoring position. It was the perfect remedy for a 7-for-50 slump he carried into the game, and a .144 batting average since July 28.
“It just felt good to hit a couple of balls hard again, especially with runners in scoring position,” Jones said. “The most frustrating part when you’re slumping is that you know you’re not helping the team. It feels really good to get a couple of big hits that helped result in a win that we needed.”
Speaking of much-needed wins, Pirates starter Zach Duke (7-12) earned his second in three starts after dropping his last three decisions. He allowed four runs on five hits and three walks with five strikouts over five innings, including facing four runners in the sixth inning without recording an out.
Duke allowed a solo home run by second baseman Danny Espinosa, — the first of his big league career — in the third, but he got all the offense he needed as the Pirates combined for all eight of their runs during the third, fourth, and fifth innings.
Ronny Cedeno led off the third with a double, and Duke moved him along with a sacrifice bunt, setting up an Andrew McCutchen sacrifice fly to tie the game at one. Jose Tabata followed with a single to right, and Neil Walker drew a seven-pitch walk before Jones doubled to left to score them both for a 3-1 lead.
Doumit led off the fourth with a solo home run off a 2-1 sinker Nationals’ starter Livan Hernandez left over the plate to put the Pirates ahead by three. They strung together five consecutive hits in the fifth, including run-scoring doubles by Jones and Alvarez and an RBI single by Doumit, to take an 8-1 lead into the sixth.
“They’re both the kind of hitters who are going to have some down times,” manager John Russell said of Doumit and Jones. “But they’re also good major league hitters. You know at some point they’ll hit.”
Tabata was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and Walker extended his hitting streak to 10 games. The two are hitting an identical .310 during their rookie seasons.
Sean Gallagher allowed a run in the sixth, an RBI single by Adam Dunn, but afterward the bullpen conglomerate of Wil Ledezma, Chan Ho Park, Brian Burres, Chris Resop and Joel Hanrahan combined for three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and two walks with six strikeouts.
Hanrahan struck out two in the ninth to earn his third save in six opportunities with Pittsburgh. He previously held the closer’s role while in Washington, but was removed from it on two different occasions in 2009 before being traded to the Pirates in the Nyjer Morgan/Sean Burnett deal.
“I still know most of the guys over there and I’m sure I’ll get some messages,” Hanrahan said.
The Pirates won just their second game in their last seven times, while the Nationals have lost three straight. The Bucs improved their record to 30-36 at home.
Pre-game fungoes, September 3: Maz statue unveiling on Sunday
The Pirates will unveil the Bill Mazeroski statue on Sunday, at 12:45 prior to the Pirates game. The ceremony will take place on Mazeroski Way outside the right field gate. Also, Maz will take part of throwing out the first-pitch as well riding around the warning tracks of PNC Park in a 1960′s Bentley convertible while highlights of his career will be shown on the jumbotron.
Friday’s Pitching Matchup:
Livian Hernandez 9-9, 3.49 ERA
VS
Zach Duke 6-12, 5.17 ERA
Hernandez has been struggling of late. In his last 17.2 innings he is just 1-1 with a 7.13 ERA. In his last start against the Cardinals he pitched 6.1 innings giving up five runs on eight hits and struck out two.
Duke went 5.1 innings against the Brewers his last trip to the mound. He allowed four runs on nine hits, walked one and struck out one. He left the game ahead, but the Bullpen couldn’t hold the lead and he got the no-decision.
Nationals Lineup:
Nyer Morgan CF
Ian Desmond SS
Ryan Zimmerman 3B
Adam Dunn 1B
Michael Morse RF
Ivan Rodriguez C
Justin Maxwell LF
Danny Espinosa 2B
Livan Hernandez P
Pirates Lineup:
Andrew McCutchen CF
Jose Tabata RF
Neil Walker 2B
Garrett Jones 1B
Pedro Alvarez 3B
Ryan Doumit C
John Bowker RF
Ronny Cedeno SS
Zach Duke P